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San Francisco Travel Foundation

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San Francisco Travel Foundation

Tourism remains San Francisco’s #1 industry and we intend to keep it that way.

That’s why in May 2003, the San Francisco Travel Foundation was founded with a leadership gift from past Board of Directors chair Robert Werbe. With the vision of supporting the momentum of the hospitality industry, the Foundation’s vision is to enrich San Francisco’s youth through education and opportunity. Serving as separate, but affiliated, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the Foundation prepares future industry leaders by providing scholarships to local students enrolled in hospitality management programs at local colleges and universities, and presents visitor-industry related educational programs to the community.

The Foundation accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, organizations, and other foundations. To make a tax-deductible contribution, contact Paul Frentsos at (415) 227-2608 or pfrentsos@sftravel.com.

Total Funds Raised: $304,027+ and climbing...

Foundation Programs

Partner Events

Our calendars are packed each fiscal year with educational and networking opportunities for our partners. Aside from being an exclusive platform for local businesses to leverage their stake in the visitor and meetings market, we make it a point to incorporate the Foundation whenever possible. Events such as our Partner Business Exchanges and other educational seminars have contributed thousands of dollars of necessary funding to our local students. See all our upcoming partner events.

Macy's Flower Show Breakfast This annual networking event is likely our most colorful. Teaming up with our partners at Macy’s Union Square, partners are invited to network with other like-minded businesses during an exclusive preview of Macy’s famous Flower Show. Paired with a silent auction, the event has generated more than $10,000 to the Foundation. Learn more

Annual Luncheon Our largest event of the year has not only raised more than $20,000 for the Foundation, but it’s also where we award our annual John A. Marks Scholarship recipient (in front of the city’s most influential industry leaders). Learn more.

Staff Education Hours We’ve been fortunate enough to receive education and experience in the hospitality industry, so that’s why we make a point to contribute time to pass our knowledge along to our city’s youth. Throughout the year, San Francisco Travel staff visits hospitality classes at San Francisco State, University of San Francisco, and City College aiming to educate, inspire and motivate students.

Private Donations We’re not the only ones who see the value in our youth. Thanks to generous contributions, the Foundation has received more than $58,000 in valuable support. If you’d like to make a contribution, click here.

Visitor Donations

Effective, Nov. 27, 2017 the San Francisco Travel Visitor Experience department began accepting donations at the Visitor Information Center at 900 Market St. for a community partner nominated by Visitor Center representatives. The featured organization must support San Francisco Travel’s public policy goals and be a registered as 501c(3) to qualify for approval. Organizations will be chosen on a quarterly basis.

The goal of the donation program is to directly impact the local economy and/or local tourism and hospitality industry by empowering visitors to make positive impacts on the destination they visit. Representatives will ask visitors if they would like to make a contribution towards a featured community organization and collect money through the point of sale system.

The money will be directly deposited into the San Francisco Travel Foundation in a designated account, and dispersed to the designated organization at the end of each month.